Changes have recently been made to the constitution of the Black Student Alliance which clarify how students not of African American descent can become members.

The constitution has not been amended since 1993, said Meron Wondwosen, president of BSA. Although it had been understood that anyone could petition to become a member of BSA, the procedure had never been formally outlined.

Any Iowa State student of African descent is automatically a member of BSA. “People think BSA is only for African Americans, but it is not,” Wondwosen said.

The BSA cabinet decided to revise the constitution and include the rules they currently operate under.

Randall Duvall, vice-president of BSA, hopes the changes will “allow the BSA to expand and grow if it desires in the future.”

“The change in the constitution will help facilitate better discussion amongst ourselves and other groups,” Duvall added.

Copies of the revised BSA constitution were distributed to its members, and the general assembly was able to make suggestions before it was ratified.

Other changes to the constitution include adding the positions of Black Cultural Center representatives to the board of directors and a National Pan-Hellenic Council liaison to the constitution.

“These positions existed before under an executive order and are now part of the constitution,” Wondwosen said.

BSA meets every Monday night at 8 p.m. in the Pioneer Room of the Memorial Union and is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month.

Wondwosen said BSA hopes to serve the needs of black students, build community between different ethnic groups and promote collaboration.